This Newsletter covers Federal and State policy and legislative developments in the area of health. Copies of documents referred to can be obtained by clicking on the reference in this Newsletter or through Capital Monitor's collection at www.capitalmonitor.com.au or from the source quoted.
Major Announcements
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
28 April
NSW: $300,000 for COVID relief work in regional NSW
Thirty-four local groups and not-for-profits that delivered food and care hampers to regional communities during the height of 2021 COVID-19 restrictions will share in $300,000 from the NSW Government's COVID Regional Community Support (CRCS) program. NSW Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said more than 72,000 hampers were delivered to residents in regional and rural parts of NSW. 'These groups and organisations dropped everything and dipped into their own funds to support isolated residents during last year's COVID-19 restrictions by partnering with Resilience NSW to prepare and deliver food, essential items and relief packs to those in need,' Ms Cooke said.
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NT: COVID-19 update
NT Department of Health: The Northern Territory is reporting the deaths of three people with COVID-19. A male in his 80s from Greater Darwin, who had underlying health conditions, passed away at Royal Darwin Hospital. A female in her 80s from Greater Darwin, who had underlying health conditions, passed away at Royal Darwin Hospital. A male in his 80s from Greater Darwin, who had underlying health conditions, passed away at Palmerston Regional Hospital. The total number of COVID-19 related deaths recorded in the NT since the start of the pandemic is 43.
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27 April
TAS: Close contact rules to be eased from 2 May
TAS Premier Jeremy Rockliff announced that 'from 12:01am Monday 2 May, Tasmanians who are classified as close contacts will no longer need to quarantine for seven days, provided they comply with other Public Health measures. This is in line with the national position in other states, public health advice, and the current epidemiological position in Tasmania, with a downward trend in cases confirming Tasmania has passed the peak of our recent COVID wave. While these changes will be confronting for some, they are another important step in our ongoing transition to live with COVID-19.'
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WA: Close contact modification (schools and approved education facilities) directions (no 2)
The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic on 11 March 2020. On 15 March 2020, the Minister for Emergency Services declared a state of emergency with effect from 12 am on 16 March 2020 in respect of the pandemic caused by COVID-19 pursuant to section 56 of the Emergency Management Act 2005 (WA) (Act) (State of Emergency). The State of Emergency applies to the State of Western Australia.
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26 April
TAS: Coronavirus update
'Tasmania has recorded 958 new cases overnight, with a total of 1,591 recovered and released from isolation in that time. The total number of active cases is currently at 6,930, with approximately 124,000 Tasmanians now having recovered from COVID-19. The number of people in hospital with COVID is 38, with 11 of these being treated specifically for COVID. There is currently one person in ICU. Sadly, I can confirm that a female in her 70s has passed away at the Launceston General Hospital. I extend my sincere condolences to the woman's family, friends, and loved ones at this extremely difficult time.' said TAS Premier Jeremy Rockliff
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NT COVID-19 update - CHO Direction changes
Changes are being made to NT Chief Health Officer (CHO) COVID-19 Directions for close contacts in the Northern Territory. These changes are in line with the Territory's progression to living with COVID-19, which has seen our health goals shift to managing the rate of spread and preventing serious illness. From 12.01am on 27 April 2022, the following changes to isolation requirements for close contacts will come into effect. Close contacts who are up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations Close contacts who are up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations having had at least three doses, and do not have symptoms will no longer be required to isolate.
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WA: Public health measures to ease with WA's soft landing secured
Western Australia has secured its soft landing through the Omicron wave, making way for Level 1 public health measures across the State to ease from 12.01am Friday, April 29, as WA approaches a triple dose vaccination rate of 80 per cent, announced WA Premier Mark McGowan. Based on the latest health advice, WA reached its peak four weeks ago with case numbers, and hospitalisation and ICU admission rates stable and lower than anticipated, allowing public health measures to safely ease. Masks will no longer be mandatory, except for those aged 12 and older (including Year 7s) in high-risk settings.
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22 April
NSW: Millions of free rapid antigen tests for vulnerable groups
The NSW Government will provide millions of free Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) to vulnerable cohorts, including people with disability, children and young people in out-of- home care, vulnerable multicultural communities and Aboriginal communities to support early identification and treatment for COVID-19. Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Services Natasha Maclaren-Jones said up to 7.9 million RATs will be available to ensure protection for some of the most vulnerable in our community. We want to ensure that rapid antigen tests are easily accessible to those who need it most, to keep them safe against COVID-19 through the coming winter period,' Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
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NT COVID-19 update
There were 543 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in the Northern Territory in the 24 hours to 8pm on 21 April 2022, said the Northern Territory Department Health. Of these, 477 were positive cases from a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT). There were 396 cases recorded in the Top End region, 55 in Central Australia, nine in East Arnhem, 17 in the Big Rivers region, seven in the Barkly region and 59 are under investigation. There are currently 46 patients in hospital. There are eight patients requiring oxygen and one patient is in ICU. The number of active cases in the NT is 3,254.
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QLD: Quarantine requirements to ease in Queensland
Quarantine requirements will be removed for close contacts from 6pm Thursday 28 April. Queensland Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said the relaxation of the rules was the next step towards managing COVID safely in the community and getting our lives back. 'When COVID reached our state, Queenslanders pulled together to deliver one of the world's most successful pandemic responses,' the Minister said. 'At every stage of the pandemic, Queenslanders followed the health advice to protect them and their loved ones and to keep our economy strong. The health advice means we can now take the next step and remove quarantine requirements for close contacts. This will provide a much-needed boost to businesses and allow many workers to return to their jobs.'
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21 April
COVID-19 vaccines do not cause infertility
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has found no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines cause infertility in males or females, or any future infertility in children. The COVID-19 vaccine, like other vaccines, works by training our bodies to develop antibodies to fight against the virus that causes COVID-19, to prevent future illness. There is no evidence that antibodies formed from COVID-19 vaccination cause any problems with pregnancy, including the development of the placenta. In addition, there is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines cause fertility problems in males or females, or any future infertility in children. People who are trying to become pregnant now or who plan to try in the future can receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
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Aged Care
28 April
VIC: Stop the rot
As part of the Australian Dental Association (ADA) Stop the Rot campaign, which calls on major parties to prioritise dental care for older Australians living in residential aged care this federal election, ADA is encouraging the community and the dental profession in Victoria to email their local candidates with personal experiences about why dental care is important. The Australian Dental Association has launched the Stop the Rot campaign to shine a light on the important issue of oral health neglect for the nearly 200,000 people living in residential aged care. Despite significant improvements over the past 30 years, too many older Australians continue to experience poor oral health.
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27 April
'Horrifying' aged care reports handed to regulator
More than 6500 individual reports about understaffing and unsafe conditions facing aged care residents was handed to the aged care safety regulator. Reports from a United Workers Union whistleblower web site called Aged Care Watch have identified serious impacts on aged care resident safety as workers document unfilled shifts and understaffing. Literally thousands of reports of aged care residents suffering because there are not enough staff to look after them will be sent to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
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Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety
None this edition.
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Allied Health
None this edition.
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Children's Health
None this edition.
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Clinical Governance
28 April
Put Aussies at the centre of health policy: call from consumer health advocates
The Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF) is urging all political leaders to put consumers at the centre of health policy-making in Australia, following the release of concerning new data from the Organisation for Economic and Co-operation Development (OECD). The benefits of consumer-centred care are better targeted services, and value-based health care, which translates to better outcomes for patients and less waste. In Patient Experience Week (#PXweek22), CHF is calling for consumers to be placed at the heart of health system design.
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Construction and Health Infrastructure
26 April
TAS: Gyms and sports clubs urged to register for Veterans Wellbeing Voucher Program
The Tasmanian Government is delivering on our election commitment to help improve the health and wellbeing of Tasmania's veteran community. The Veteran Wellbeing Voucher Program is seeking registrations from gyms and sports clubs as a Veterans Activity Provider to take part in this innovative program. Once the program is established, gyms and sporting clubs will be reimbursed $100 for each voucher they accept from a veterans from next month. The Program will run on a financial year basis so that it can support veterans who participate in summer and winter sports.
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19 April
More help for southern suburbs families, less pressure on hospitals
'Under Labor, families in Perth's southern suburbs will get the bulk billed urgent medical care they need, without having to wait hours at over-burdened hospital emergency departments. An Albanese Labor Government will fund Medicare Urgent Care Clinics to be based at GP surgeries and Community Health Centres in at least 50 locations across Australia, including in the southern suburbs. Only Josh Wilson, Sam Lim and Labor have a plan to expand GP emergency care access in the southern suburbs by delivering a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic near Fiona Stanley Hospital. Local families are already struggling to access emergency care, and are under pressure from rising out of pocket costs to see a GP which only contributes to the strain on household budgets. Under the current Government, out of pocket costs to see a GP in Fremantle and Tangney have gone up by 30 per cent.' said Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese, Shadow Minister for Health Mark Butler and Member for Freemantle Josh Wilson.
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Dental
28 April
VIC: Stop the rot
As part of the Australian Dental Association (ADA) Stop the Rot campaign, which calls on major parties to prioritise dental care for older Australians living in residential aged care this federal election, ADA is encouraging the community and the dental profession in Victoria to email their local candidates with personal experiences about why dental care is important. The Australian Dental Association has launched the Stop the Rot campaign to shine a light on the important issue of oral health neglect for the nearly 200,000 people living in residential aged care. Despite significant improvements over the past 30 years, too many older Australians continue to experience poor oral health.
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27 April
Australian Dental Sector Working Group- Meeting statement
On 27 August 2021, the third meeting of the Australian Dental Sector Working Group occurred and continued its discussions around the implementation of the new regulatory framework for personalised medical devices. Key discussion points included:
- Action items from previous meetings.
- The outcomes of the public consultation on proposed refinements to the regulation of personalised medical devices, including a summary of the outcomes, and the newly commenced amendments:
- Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices-Specified Articles) Amendment (Personalised Medical Devices) Instrument 2021
- Therapeutic Goods (Excluded Goods) Amendment (Personalised Medical Devices) Determination 2021
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24 April
Doctors call for dental care to be included in Medicare
"Many Australians are suffering unnecessarily and some even die as a result of untreated dental problems throughout Australia particularly in rural areas. Dental care is a life and death problem for many Australians and as Doctors we join the call by Dentists for Dental Care to be included in Medicare"said Dr Con Costa Vice President of Australian Doctors Reform Society. "The costs of untreated dental problems can result in not only pain and suffering but also millions of dollars in health costs as a result of preventable serious complications ,expensive medical care and hospitalisations," said Dr Marr. "Data from the Productivity Commission shows the average waiting times for first dental visits in public dental care is 465 days and the patient could die while waiting for this care."
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22 April
Lack of universal dental care a hole that can be fixed
Health consumers are falling through the gaps in health care when it comes to getting their teeth checked. Consumers Health Forum (CHF) is calling for government to address the shortfall in oral health as a fundamental part of health care by including coverage for dental health care in Medicare. Currently dental health care is not part of Medicare, which creates further barriers for people accessing regular dental treatment. Consumers Health Forum CEO, Leanne Wells said that access to dental health care is a vital preventive health measure, as regular appointments provide oral health checks, professional cleaning and dental treatment.
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Disabilities
None this edition.
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Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability
None this edition.
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E-Health
None this edition.
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Education and Training
26 April
New Clinical Health School facilities for Greater Shepparton
A re-elected Government will invest $19.5 million to build Clinical Health School facilities for Greater Shepparton. Minister for Regional Education, Senator Bridget McKenzie said along with investment by La Trobe University and Goulburn Valley Health, the $26.5 million project will deliver dedicated education and training facilities to future proof northern Victoria's health care workforce. 'The Clinical Health School will future proof Goulburn Valley and Northern Victoria's health care workforce,' Minister McKenzie said.
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Funding
27 April
Patient voice and experience must be part of the Government's decision-making when funding medicines
Medicines Australia released the third installment in its Federal Election social media campaign, with the latest video stressing the importance for governments to incorporate the patient voice and experience when developing health policy, including when funding medicines. Medicines Australia CEO, Elizabeth de Somer, said the campaign is designed to increase awareness of the importance of policy reform to the major parties and the community to ensure all Australians have improved access to medicines when they need them.
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24 April
Opposition will strengthen First Nations health
Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese, Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney and Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler have announced that an Opposition Government will train 500 additional First Nations Health Workers and invest in life-saving dialysis and rheumatic heart disease treatments to help close the gap in First Nations health outcomes. Aboriginal community-controlled health services worked tirelessly to keep First Nations communities safe during the pandemic. Their workforce has been stretched to its limits and vital programs such as chronic disease prevention and First Nations health checks have had to be scaled back.
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23 April
Funding boost to support families and children in Higgins
The Government will support Cystic Fibrosis Community Care to deliver a series of online resources to improve the health literacy, self-advocacy and communication skills of people with Cystic Fibrosis in Higgins. Member for Higgins, Katie Allen, said local residents would be able to build new support networks, learn new skills and access appropriate information and resources thanks to a $336,423 investment from the Government. Minister for Families and Social Services, Anne Ruston, said the goal of the funding was to assist people with Cystic Fibrosis to take up work opportunities, improve access to training services and empower people at risk of isolation.
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Health Professionals
28 April
Helping primary care support victims- survivors of family and domestic violence
The Sax Institute is partnering with Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety (ANROWS) to evaluate this pilot, which targets the whole spectrum of primary care staff - not just GPs and practice nurses, but also practice managers and reception staff, as well as other allied health professionals (such as psychologists). Data collection took place over the second half of 2021, and the full evaluation will be completed in early 2023. 'We're proud to be partnering with ANROWS on this important evaluation,' said Anne Redman, who heads up the Sax Institute's health and social policy evaluation team
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27 April
Health consumer leader built strong partnerships across the health sector
Medicines Australia pays tribute to Leanne Wells as CEO of the Consumers Health Forum (CHF) and the outstanding contribution she made advocating for health consumers and lifting the patient voice for more than seven years. Ms Wells will end her successful tenure at the CHF in August. Medicines Australia CEO, Elizabeth de Somer, said that Ms Wells has built partnerships across the health sector during her leadership of CHF and has always been open and transparent. 'Medicines Australia and the Consumers Health Forum, led by Leanne, have worked collaboratively on several new and existing projects to improve the patient experience,' Ms de Somer
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Mr Thamsanqa Ndiweni - Registered nurse - Unsatisfactory professional conduct and reprimand
The Health Care Complaints Commission prosecuted a complaint against registered nurse, Mr Thamsanqa Ndiweni, before a Nursing and Midwifery Professional Standards Committee (the Committee). On 29 March 2022 the Committee found the complaint proven and found Mr Thamsanqa Ndiweni guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct. The Committee imposed a reprimand and placed conditions on Mr Ndiweni's registration to restrict the way he practices when not working in a mental health setting.
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26 April
Securing nurses and care workers in aged care
The Hearing for the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation's (ANMF) and Health Services Union's (HSU) landmark applications for a 25% increase to award wages for aged care workers commences in the Fair Work Commission. The ANMF makes this application on the basis that the work of aged care workers has never been properly valued and that it is undervalued. Guaranteeing wages that genuinely reflect the value of the work, alongside mandated safe staffing and 24 hour registered nurse presence will ensure staff are attracted to work in the aged care sector, the ANMF said.
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Health workforce focus good - but show us your policy
The Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA) has welcomed Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese's focus on the health workforce, but has pressed him to release the policy detailing how he will achieve his aims. APHA CEO Michael Roff said the healthcare workforce shortage was the 'single biggest issue facing healthcare in Australia' and just suggesting people will migrate to help prop up the system is naïve. 'Australia needs a skilled migration program that encourages people to come here and make a life here, not just send them home as soon as their visa expires."
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Wentworth forum for candidates
Doctors for the Environment (DEA) hosted a forum for candidates running for election in the federal seat of Wentworth on Tuesday, April 26 at 6.30-9.30pm. DEA wants an ambitious plan to cut emissions this decade to protect health, with strong, science- based targets with a rapid transition to renewables and away from fossil fuels. In addition they call for strong laws to prevent further deforestation and biodiversity loss. For the health sector, climate change is a public health crisis requiring our urgent attention. Independent candidate Allegra Spender, Greens candidate Dominic WY Kanak and Opposition candidate Tim Murray will address these issues, and respond to questions afterwards.
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NT: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health worker's recognised for excellence
The Northern Territories best and brightest Health Workers and Practitioner's have the chance for their efforts and work to be recognised, with nominations opening for the 2022 Northern Territory Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker and Practitioner Excellence Awards, announced NT Minister for Health Natasha Fyles. The awards are held annually to recognise and acknowledge the significant contribution Aboriginal health workers and practitioners make to their families, communities and the healthcare system across the Northern Territory. These awards acknowledge the outstanding contribution made by our highly valued Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners workforces within the previous 12 months.
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Australians deserve certainty on net zero target for their health
Doctors for the Environment (DEA) are calling for certainty on Australia's net zero by 2050 emissions reduction target, amid mixed messages from the Government. DEA deputy chair Dr Kimberly Humphrey said Australia needed strong climate policy to improve the health of all Australians. 'Heat-related deaths and other health issues associated with climate change are severely impacting the health and wellbeing of communities around Australia. 'Children born today are likely to face seven times more extreme weather events than their grandparents,' Dr Humphrey said.
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22 April
Dr William Mooney - Medical Practitioner - Registration cancelled
The Health Care Complaints Commission prosecuted a complaint against medical practitioner, Dr William Mooney before the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal ('the Tribunal'), said the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC). In December 2021, the Tribunal published its Stage 1 decision and found that Mr Mooney was guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct and professional misconduct. In April 2022, the Tribunal ordered that Dr Mooney's registration be cancelled with a non- review period of one year. In determining to cancel his registration the Tribunal considered the seriousness of the conduct, the need for general deterrence, the maintenance of confidence in the medical profession and the necessity to give Dr Mooney an opportunity to complete the journey into gaining full insight .
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Landmark case to lift aged care wages begins Tuesday
One of the most significant wage cases in recent history kicks off on Tuesday as the Health Services Union seeks to lift the wages of aged care workers by 25 per cent. The first hearings in the Health Services Unions (HSU) work value case will be held at the Fair Work Commission at 80 William Street, East Sydney. HSU National President, Gerard Hayes and Maurice Blackburn lawyer, Alex Grayson will be joined by rank and file aged care members to address media immediately prior at 9am. The case covers personal care workers, recreational activities officers, catering, cleaning, administration, and other staff.
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21 April
Allied health is leading jobs growth and demand, but where's the focus and where's the plan?
Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health (SARRAH) calls on all Federal politicians and aspirants to stop ignoring health and service jobs. People need these services, and the workforce is in critical shortage in regional, rural and remote Australia. Gemma Tuxworth, SARRAH's acting CEO, explains: 'Skilled allied health professionals - the second largest group of health professionals nationally - lead jobs demand yet they are all but ignored by policy makers. This is unfathomable given existing shortages and the findings of the Aged Care and Disability Royal Commissions that identified this workforce is critical to achieve better outcomes for vulnerable Australians.'
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Hospitals
26 April
QLD: Worst ramping in Australia as Brisbane worsens
New figures have revealed Queensland has the worst rates of ambulance ramping in Australia, and Brisbane patients are suffering as a result. New data obtained by the Queensland Opposition shows ramping rates have risen at eight of the city's nine hospitals, with five hospitals above 50 per cent. At Ipswich Hospital 56 per cent of patients are being are being left on stretchers, corridors and hallways for longer than 30 minutes. This is a 6 per cent increase and well above the statewide average of 38 per cent. Logan, QEII and Redland Hospital all recorded increased ramping rates above 50 per cent. This means one in every two patients is waiting too long for care Queensland Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli said the State Government urgently needed to find a plan to fix Queensland's hospitals.
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Insurance
21 April
Modernising and Improving Private Health Insurance - Prostheses List
The Australian Government is investing $22 million over 4 years to modernise and improve the Prostheses List (PL), said the Department of Health. This includes addressing issues raised by recent reviews of the scope and operation of PL. The PL has grown over time in both size and complexity to include more than 11,600 items. As well as streamlining the list, the reform initiative will better define the purpose and scope of the PL. This will provide greater clarity and certainty about which items are eligible for inclusion. Over time, ineligible products, that are better funded through direct contractual engagement between parties, will be removed from the PL. Removals of ineligible products are scheduled to occur over three years from 1 February 2022.
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Medicare
24 April
Doctors call for dental care to be included in Medicare
"Many Australians are suffering unnecessarily and some even die as a result of untreated dental problems throughout Australia particularly in rural areas. Dental care is a life and death problem for many Australians and as Doctors we join the call by Dentists for Dental Care to be included in Medicare," said Dr Con Costa Vice President of Australian Doctors Reform Society. "The costs of untreated dental problems can result in not only pain and suffering but also millions of dollars in health costs as a result of preventable serious complications ,expensive medical care and hospitalisations," said Dr Marr. "Data from the Productivity Commission shows the average waiting times for first dental visits in public dental care is 465 days and the patient could die while waiting for this care."
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Men's Health
None this edition.
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Mental Health
27 April
Further boost for youth suicide prevention
Minister for Health Greg Hunt and Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for the Prevention of Suicide David Coleman announced that the Government is providing a further boost for a range of school-based, online and community programmes aiming to reduce the risk of suicide and suicidal behaviours among young people across the country. The funding forms part of the $114 million National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Programme (NSPLSP) grant opportunity, a key pillar of the Government's historic National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan first announced in the 2021-22 Budget.
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VIC: Free travel for veterans
Veterans will be able to travel for free across Victoria's entire public transport network to celebrate Veterans' Health Week. Starting this weekend, free travel will be available across all bus, tram and train networks for any veterans, war widows, current Australian Defence Force cadets and personnel and school students, as well as any Scouts or Girl Guides. Veterans' Health Week is run each year across Australia to emphasise the importance of health and wellbeing of those who have served and their families. This year's focus is on mental wellness and ensuring the veteran community has the tools and knowledge to both improve and maintain good mental health.
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25 April
NSW: NSW Government lodges submission to the Royal Commission Into Veteran Suicide
As Australia honours Australian men and women who have served or made the ultimate sacrifice, the NSW Government has lodged their submission to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. Research by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare indicates that suicide is the leading cause of death for young people, and among young ex-serving male personnel (aged 18-24 years), the rate of suicide is twice that observed for Australian men of the same age. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said that the Government's submission addresses areas where NSW could and should do more for their veterans and their families, particularly contemporary veterans.
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24 April
Boost to mental health services in Alice Springs
Australians across Alice Springs will have easier access to mental health support with the Government announcing a new Head to Health adult mental health service in the area. Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt said the additional mental health services would be a major boost to community-based mental health services. 'Head to Health services, like the one being established in Alice Springs are designed to provide a welcoming, stigma-free entry point for adults to access mental health information, services and supports,' Minister Hunt said. Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, said mental health and suicide prevention remained one of the Government's highest priorities.
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Boost to mental health services in Robertson
Australians across the Central Coast will have easier access to mental health support with the Government announcing a new Head to Health adult mental health service in the area. Federal Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks, welcomed the announcement of additional mental health services, which will be a major boost to community-based mental health services. Minister Hunt said this was one of many Head to Health services being established across the country to provide mental health support to Australians. Assistant Minister Coleman,said mental health and suicide prevention remained one of the Government's highest priorities.
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Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System
None this edition.
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Pharmaceuticals and Regulation
27 April
New standard to avoid long-term harm from opioid analgesics
A new standard of care will help thousands of Australians at risk from long-term reliance on opioid analgesics following short-term use for acute pain in hospital. The first national Opioid Analgesic Stewardship in Acute Pain Clinical Care Standard, developed by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (the Commission), sets out appropriate use of opioid analgesics in the emergency department and after surgery. The new standard encourages doctors to consider alternate analgesics and, where opioids are required, promotes planning for their cessation.
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Government must act to relieve inflation pressure on household budget
The Consumer Price Index figures tell a story of households increasingly under pressure to make ends meet, forcing many Australians to choose between purchasing essential prescription medicines and other essential household items. It is another reminder that households are struggling with the rising cost of living and having to make a choice between essentials such as medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS), groceries and paying their bills, said Pharmacy Guild of Australia National President Professor Trent Twomey. 'Community pharmacies are seeing patients struggling to afford medicines from paycheck to paychecks.' Professor Twomey said.
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22 April
Kynd Stress Relief Tablets Recall - Reported allergic reactions
iNova Pharmaceuticals, in consultation with the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA), has initiated a recall of one batch of Kynd Stress Relief tablets following reports of unexpected allergic reactions. The affected batch number is 106585 (expiry 08/2023). Kynd Stress Relief is a listed medicine traditionally used to decrease symptoms of mild anxiety. If you or someone you care for is taking Kynd Stress Relief tablets, check the batch number displayed on the bottle. If the bottle is from batch 106585 (expiry 08/2023), immediately stop using the product and return it to the place of purchase for a refund. Pharmacies, other retailers and wholesalers who have purchased this product are advised to inspect stock immediately and quarantine all units from the affected batch. All unsold units of the affected batch will be removed from the market.
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Clozapine and gastrointestinal hypomotility with severe complications
The potentially fatal risk of gastrointestinal hypomotility in patients taking clozapine has been highlighted with a new boxed warning in the Product Information (PI) for this medicine, reported the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA). Health professionals should assess for constipation before and during treatment with clozapine, and manage suspected constipation promptly to prevent severe complications. The severe gastrointestinal effects of intestinal obstruction, severe constipation and gastrointestinal hypomotility are among the most serious adverse reactions experienced with clozapine. In post-marketing experience, severe complications of gastrointestinal hypomotility (such as intestinal obstruction, faecal impaction, megacolon, paralytic ileus and intestinal ischaemia or infarction) have resulted in hospitalisation, surgery and death.
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RACGP calls for greater regulation of cosmetic surgery
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is calling for greater regulation of the cosmetic surgery industry to improve patient safety and care. In a submission to Ahpra's Independent review of the regulation of medical practitioners who perform cosmetic surgery, the RACGP made a number of recommendations to improve patient safety and ensure consumers can make fully informed and thought-out decisions before having a procedure. AHPRA announced it would review the largely unregulated industry, following a Four Corners expose of dangerous and disturbing practices in cosmetic surgery clinics. RACGP President Adj. Professor Karen Price said sensible changes were needed to ensure patient safety.
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Bringing more impact to a Medication Management Review - a new tool helps pharmacists
Research from NPS MedicineWise found that some GPs find Home Medicines Reviews are too generic, and need to be more tailored to the patient. A new tool from NPS MedicineWise supports a collaborative approach between the accredited pharmacist and medical practitioner when preparing a Home Medicines Review (HMR) or a Residential Medication Management Review (RMMR). Medication Management Review Reports: Best practice recommendations aims to assist accredited pharmacists, or pharmacists undergoing accreditation, with applying a person-centred approach to writing MMR reports. It encourages communication between the pharmacist and referring medical practitioner to provide a common understanding of the context and goals of the report. It also incorporates important elements that medical practitioners find most useful in a report.
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21 April
Australia's supplements icon Swisse launches in Sri Lanka
The Australian Trade and Investment Commission announced that Australian health and wellness brand Swisse is expanding into Sri Lanka. The Melbourne- based company has secured an exclusive partnership deal with local pharmacy and healthcare chain, Healthguard. Sri Lanka's daily newspaper, DailyFT reported the partnership launch on 29 March. Austrade advisers and senior executives from Swisse attended the launch, along with Australia's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka David Holly. Swisse's move into Sri Lanka follows the company's successful expansion into India in 2020.
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Making #MedicinesMatter for all Australians
Medicines Australia has launched a social media campaign to highlight key policy issues for the election campaign and to help educate all Australians about how rapid access to medicines is a core part of Australia's world-class health system. Medicines Australia will be releasing a new video and linked social media posts each week of the six- week Federal election campaign as a precursor to ongoing education and information about why medicines matter to the Australian population. Medicines Australia CEO, Elizabeth de Somer, said the rapid rollout of vaccines and other health measures that have saved lives and protected lives throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Community pharmacy immunisation program expansion will save lives
West Australians aged 5 years and over win right to be immunised in their local pharmacy. Western Australians will be the biggest beneficiaries of the Western Australian Government's expansion of the Community Pharmacy Immunisation Program. Speaking alongside Western Australia's Minister for Health, Amber-Jade Sanderson, Pharmacy Guild of Australia WA Branch President, Mr Andrew Ngeow said, every patient aged 5 years and over can now receive their influenza or COVID-19 vaccination at their local community pharmacy.' And there is more to come.
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PSA welcomes greater vaccine access for West Australians
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia's (PSA) WA Branch welcomes the expansion of the state's vaccination program, announced by WA Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson. WA pharmacist immunisers will soon be able to administer National Immunisation Program (NIP) vaccinations, including influenza vaccines to children aged 5 years and over, who are eligible under the program. In addition, adolescents will have greater access to vaccines including human papillomavirus (HPV), diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (dTpa), meningococcal ACWY, measles- mumps-rubella and COVID vaccinations, with pharmacists to be allowed to administer all of these vaccines in line with the state immunisation schedule.
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Research
28 April
New lupus treatments within reach after scientists discover cause of disease
Researchers from The Australian National University (ANU) have identified a gene called TLR7 that, when over-activated, is responsible for causing lupus, an autoimmune disease that can be life-threatening in severe cases. TLR7 is programmed to help the immune system guard against viral infections, but in its mutated form it can become aggressive and cause the immune system to attack healthy cells. The discovery, made by an international team of scientists, could pave the way for new and more effective treatments for lupus, but without the side-effects associated with current therapies.
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27 April
Research Institute Support program to distribute $6.5 million funding boost
Research Institute Support program to deliver $6.5 million to promote excellence in WA Medical Research Institutes. Funding will support indirect costs not generally covered by research grant funding. More than $16.5 million has been provided to WA Medical Research Institutes through the Research Institute Support program over the past 7 years. A number of high-performing Western Australian Medical Research Institutes (MRIs) will share in $6.5 million to help deliver world-class health and medical research.
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21 April
Rare genetic mutation linked to risk of severe viral infection in Polynesian populations
New research from an international collaboration including researchers from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, has identified a rare genetic mutation in people of Polynesian descent, which increases their risk of severe viral infection or death. Researchers studied the highly unusual cases of seven Polynesian children who were previously healthy but went on to develop severe or fatal reactions to live attenuated vaccines such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) and yellow fever vaccines, or following influenza infection.
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Rural, Regional and Remote Health
28 April
ACT: New health centre to provide care closer to home for Molonglo community
Families in the growing Molonglo Valley will now have access to free healthcare at the new Canberra Health Services at Molonglo. The centre, which was a 2020 election commitment, will provide free pregnancy care, maternal and child health, women's health counselling and children's asthma care appointments to Canberrans in the Molonglo region. ACT Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said it is the first of five new health centres the ACT Government will be opening across the Territory over the next few years.
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26 April
New clinical health school facilities for Greater Shepparton
A re-elected Government will invest $19.5 million to build Clinical Health School facilities for Greater Shepparton. Minister for Regional Education, Senator Bridget McKenzie said along with investment by La Trobe University and Goulburn Valley Health, the $26.5 million project will deliver dedicated education and training facilities to future proof northern Victoria's health care workforce. 'The Clinical Health School will future proof Goulburn Valley and Northern Victoria's health care workforce,' Minister McKenzie said. 'La Trobe University and Goulburn Valley Health will now have dedicated training facilities to train students in nursing, midwifery and allied health to address the medium and long-term workforce needs of the region.'
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TAS: Access to General Practitioners in Ouse
"The Tasmanian Liberal Government acknowledges the important role that GPs and the primary healthcare sector plays in caring for our community and is taking all available steps to ensure the continued delivery of GP services in the Ouse and Central Highlands area," said Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff. "I share the frustration expressed by members of the Central Highlands community that negotiations between two private providers have been unsuccessful, resulting in the cessation of the GP service in Ouse. I have been in regular communication with the Mayor of the Central Highlands Council over the past week, and I very much appreciate her advocacy and reflecting the community's concerns."
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New Clinical Health School facilities for Greater Shepparton - The Nationals
A re-elected Government will invest $19.5 million to build Clinical Health School facilities for Greater Shepparton. Minister for Regional Education, Senator Bridget McKenzie said along with investment by La Trobe University and Goulburn Valley Health, the $26.5 million project will deliver dedicated education and training facilities to future proof northern Victoria's health care workforce. 'The Clinical Health School will future proof Goulburn Valley and Northern Victoria's health care workforce,' Minister McKenzie said.
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Women's Health
26 April
Investing in women’s health and leadership in Whitten Oval community redevelopment project
As part of the plan for a stronger future, the Federal Government is delivering on its $15 million Budget commitment to the Stage 2 redevelopment of the Western Bulldogs’ spiritual home - Victoria University Whitten Oval. This investment, outlined in the 2022-23 Budget, will help boost community engagement, and importantly, female participation. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, with Minister for Women's Economic Security Jane Hume and Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck said Melbourne’s west, including the Western Bulldogs family, their AFLW team and club members will reap the benefits of the Federal Government’s investment.
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Transcripts
Prime Minister Scott Morrison
28 APR: Transcript of Interview with Allison Langdon, Today Show
Subjects: Cost of living, COVID-19, Pensioners, Interest rates, Mortgages, Inflation rate, Jobs growth, Credit rating, Unemployment, Petrol tax
Prime Minister Scott Morrison
28 APR: Transcript of Interview with David Koch, Sunrise
Subjects: Cost of living, Economy, One-off payments, COVID-19, Supply chains, Interest rates, Wage growth, Inflation, Climate change, Net zero targets
Leader of The Opposition Anthony Albanese
28 APR: Transcript of Interview with John Laws, 2SM Morning Show
Subjects: Cost of living, Health, Childcare, Powering Australia policy, TAFE, NBN, FWC, Aged care, Wages, Anti-Corruption, Climate, NDIS, COVID-19
Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers
28 APR: Transcript of Interview with Allison Langdon & Karl Stefanovic, Today Show
Subjects: Interest rates, Cost of living, Real wages, Inflation rate, Economic plan, Childcare, NBN, Submarines, COVID-19
Shadow Minister for The National Disability Insurance Scheme and Government Services Bill Shorten
28 APR: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Cairns
Subjects: NDIS, Health services, Marine precinct announcement, Cost of living, Cuts, GP shortage, Jobs, NBN, Childcare, Energy, Secure work
Shadow Minister for Finance Senator Katy Gallagher
28 APR: Transcript of Interview with Lisa Millar, ABC News Breakfast
Subjects: Interest rates, Cost of living, Childcare, Skills, Industry, Manufacturing, Wage growth, Campaigning, COVID-19
Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese
27 APR 2022: Transcript of Interview with Esther Nicols and Andy Taylor, Triple M Hobart
Subjects: COVID, Fed Opp's commitment to upgrade Hobart Airport, Cost of living pressures, Medicare, National Anti-Corruption Commission
Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese
26 APR: Transcript of Interview with Gareth Parker, 6PR Breakfast
Subjects: COVID-19 diagnosis, Pacific Islands policy, Defence, National security, ANZAC day, Submarines, Solomon Islands, China, Foreign Aid, BRI
Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen and Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness Jason Clare
26 APR: Transcript of Press Conference, Sydney
Subjects: PM's leadership, Coal, Clean energy, Net zero targets, Health care, Aged care, Nursing shortages, TAFE, University sector, Pacific security, ABC, Trade, Supply chain
Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong and Shadow Minister for Defence Brendan O'Connor and Shadow Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy
26 APR: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Darwin
Subjects: Funding for the Pacific, Port of Darwin, China-Solomons security pact, Defense, Health, Education, Climate change
Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers
25 APR: Transcript of Interview with Allison Langdon and Gareth Parker, Today Show
Subjects: ANZAC Day, Federal Opposition Leader, Coal, Veterans, Mental health, Climate change policy, Mining, Powering Australian Plan
Prime Minister Scott Morrison
24 APR: Transcript of Press Conference, Alice Springs
Subjects: Mental health, Early intervention, Regional Australia, Exports, Port infrastructure, Carbon capture, Taxes, China, Foreign aid, Solomon Islands, National security
Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong, Shadow Minister for Health Mark Butler
24 APR: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Alice Springs
Subjects: Health, Aboriginal health, Kidney dialysis, Remote housing, Taxes, China and the Pacific, Veterans, Water access in remote communities, Carbon credit
Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel Shayne Neumann
24 APR: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Townsville
Subjects: Fed Opp's plan for veterans, Increase to TPI pension, Mental health, Department of Veterans' Affairs, Labour shortages, Housing affordability, Veterans' employment
Prime Minister Scott Morrison
22 APR: Transcript of Interview with Rebecca Levingston, ABC Radio Brisbane
Subjects: Interest rates, Medicare, NDIS, Health, Aged care, Defence, Apprentices, JobTrainer, Clean energy, COVID-19, Cost of living
Prime Minister Scott Morrison
22 APR: Transcript of Interview with Andrew Clennell, Sky News
Subjects: Leader of Fed Opp, Ad campaign, Hung parliament, Pandemic, Economy, China, Solomon Islands, Nuclear deterrent, Budgets, Net zero emissions, ICAC
Prime Minister Scott Morrison
21 APR: Transcript of Interview with Ray Hadley, 2GB
Subjects: Leaders' debate, Economic plan, Pandemic, Cashless card, Medicare, Operation Sovereign Borders, Fed Opp, Temporary protection visas, China, NDIS
Shadow Minister for Finance Katy Gallagher
21 APR: Transcript of Interview with Natalie Barr, Sunrise
Subjects: Debate, Division, Children with disabilities, China and Solomon Islands deal, Refugees, Turning back boats, Security
Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness Jason Clare
21 APR: Transcript of Press Conference, Sydney
Subjects: Leader's debate, Housing affordability, Aged care, NDIS, China Solomon Islands deal, Western Australia, Everything is going up except wages, Jenkins report, Inflation
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Reports
Good Clinical Practice (GCP) inspection program: Guidance for GCP inspection of clinical trial sites for investigational biologicals and medicinal products
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
Clinical trials are regulated under commonwealth and state and territory legislation in Australia. The clinical trial environment in Australia is broad and there are various responsibilities resting with the Therapeutic Good Administration (TGA), Human Research Ethics Committees (HRECs), trial sponsors, the approving authorities (institutions), investigators and Commonwealth and State and Territory governments. Therapeutic goods are regulated in Australia under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (the Act) and the Therapeutic Goods Regulations 1990 (the Regulations).
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Database of section 19A approvals to import and supply medicines to address medicine shortages
Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA)
This database provides information on medicines not on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) that are approved for import and supply in Australia because:
- there is a shortage of a medicine registered in Australia
- the medicine is needed in the interest of public health
The database holds information on approvals current on or after 21 February 2018. Contact the TGA's Medicines Shortages Section for information on approvals that expired or lapsed before 21 February 2018
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SSHM: Suicide & self-harm monitoring - update
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
The reporting of suicide and self-harm statistics and information on the AIHW website represents one part of the National Suicide and Self-harm Monitoring Project. The Suicide and self-harm monitoring website includes interactive data visualisations and geospatial mapping to illustrate and explore the statistics as well as text to assist with their interpretation and clarification of the limitations of the data. The suspected deaths by suicide page has been updated with data from the Victorian Suicide Register for January and February 2022, the New South Wales Suicide Monitoring System for January 2022 and the Queensland Suicide Register to December 2020.
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COVID-19 test kits included in the ARTG for legal supply in Australia
Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA)
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RACGP: rural GPs need more robust support
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is ramping up calls for the next federal Government to boost support for GPs caring for rural and remote patients. Representing four-out-of-five rural GPs, the most of any organisation in Australia, the RACGP is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its Rural Faculty on Tuesday 26th April 2022 by continuing to champion the role of rural GPs. RACGP Rural provides advocacy, education, training and support for rural GPs. The Faculty's 30th anniversary demonstrates the RACGP's long-term commitment to prioritising rural and remote healthcare, and advocating for rural GPs and their communities.
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Prostheses List Reforms Consultation No. 1 - Executive Summary
Department of Health
In August 2021 the Department of Health released Consultation Paper No. 1 - Prostheses List Purpose, Definition and Scope (the Paper). The aim of the Paper was to canvass stakeholder views on proposed implementation of improvements to the Protheses List (PL) as announced in the 2021- 22 Federal Budget. A total of 116 submissions were received from stakeholders representing the Medical Technology Sector, Private Hospitals, Private Health Insurers, Clinical Societies, and individual clinicians. The purpose of the Paper was to seek stakeholder views about the Government's decision to better define the PL purpose, definition, and scope, to inform decision-making about implementation activities including amendments to legislation.
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Benchmark Price for Prostheses in Australian Public Hospitals 2020-21
Independent Hospital Pricing Authority
This report details the benchmark price for prostheses in Australian public hospitals 2020-21, together with information on the data sources and methods used to calculate this price. Over the period July 2021 to November 2021, IHPA undertook data collection activities with the assistance of key stakeholders to establish an empirical information base for quantifying the prices paid for prosthetic devices in the public hospital sector. Using the collected data sources, IHPA has applied its methodology to establish a 2020-21 public benchmark price for prostheses in Australian public hospitals. The methodology used and the results of this work are detailed within this report.
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Prostheses List Advisory Committee (PLAC) Operational Guidelines
Department of Health
The purpose of this document is to set out the arrangements under which the Prostheses List Advisory Committee (PLAC) will operate to deliver on its Terms of Reference. This document is supported and should be read in parallel with the PLAC Member Guidelines and Terms of Reference.
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Supporting Senior Australians- Policy Paper
Liberal Party of Australia
'Our welfare system provides an important safety net for over 2.5 million age pensioners. Income Support for seniors is increasing by $6.7 billion - from $50.1 billion in 2019-20 to $56.8 billion in 2022-23. Since our Government was elected in 2013, pensions have increased by $179.20 per fortnight for singles and $270 per fortnight for couples. To support pensioners during the pandemic, $750 payments were provided in April and July 2020 and further $250 payments were provided in December 2020 and March 2021.'
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Submission to the Disability Royal Commission on Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs)
Brotherhood of St Laurence
'We recommend the Commonwealth Government transition from supporting employment of people with disability in Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs) towards supporting open employment. Open employment offers better scope than ADEs to promote the social and economic inclusion of people with disability because it pays decent wages, offers more upskilling and career development opportunities, and is aligned with person-centred approaches and interventions that build the capabilities of people with disability as well as employers. We further recommend the Commonwealth Government adopt a systemic approach to supporting the transition towards open employment of people with disability.'
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NDIS legislation amendments 2022
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
The National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Participant Service Guarantee and Other Measures) Act 2022 passed both houses of Parliament on 30 March 2022 and received Royal Assent on 1 April 2022. This amendment to the NDIS Act 2013 establishes the Participant Service Guarantee which will improve the experience and outcomes for people with disability who engage with the Scheme. On 8 April 2022, a small number of changes came into effect. These included giving more time to prospective participants to provide additional information to support their access request (from 28 days to 90 days).
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COVID-19 vaccine weekly safety report
Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA)
Four COVID-19 vaccines are currently in use in Australia - Comirnaty (Pfizer), Spikevax (Moderna), Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca), and Nuvaxovid (Novavax). To be registered for use, these vaccines must have met the TGA's high standards for quality, safety and effectiveness. The TGA closely monitors reports of suspected side effects (also known as adverse events) to the COVID-19 vaccines. This is the most intensive safety monitoring ever conducted of any vaccines in Australia. The TGA encourages people to report suspected side effects, even if there's only a very small chance a vaccine was the cause. This provides valuable data that helps us identify potential safety issues.
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COVID-19 vaccines, boosters and mandates: Building a mission economy, not a rentier paradise
Medical Journal of Australia (MJA)
Australia 'could and should' set itself up to supply not only itself but the region with all future vaccine and essential drug needs, according to the authors of a Perspective published by the Medical Journal of Australia. Professor Martin Hensher, the Henry Baldwin Professorial Research Fellow in Health System Sustainability at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research, and Mrs Sithara Wanni Arachchige Dona, an Associate Research Fellow at Deakin University, wrote that such a move would be 'an enduring and positive legacy of COVID- 19, and one that appropriately honours the scientific achievements the pandemic has brought forth'.
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Carrying the costs of the crisis
Australian Council Of Social Services (ACOSS)
The report 'Carrying the Costs of the Crisis', undertaken by the Social Policy Research Centre at UNSW Sydney for ACOSS and the State and Territory Councils of Social Service, supported by Bendigo Bank, explores the experiences of 1828 community sector workers, including 513 service leaders (CEOs and senior managers), and 640 frontline workers. In addition to the acute under-investment, a third of service leaders expect their finances to worsen in 2022 and many sector leaders and workers are offsetting funding shortfalls by performing large amounts of unpaid work.
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Suicide & self-harm monitoring - Update
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)
The reporting of suicide and self-harm statistics and information on the AIHW website represents one part of the National Suicide and Self-harm Monitoring Project. The Suicide and self-harm monitoring website includes interactive data visualisations and geospatial mapping to illustrate and explore the statistics as well as text to assist with their interpretation and clarification of the limitations of the data. The suspected deaths by suicide page has been updated with data from the Victorian Suicide Register for January and February 2022, the New South Wales Suicide Monitoring System for January 2022 and the Queensland Suicide Register to December 2020.
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Dept of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration TGA: Pharmacovigilance inspection program - Guidance for medicine sponsors - Paper
This guidance describes how the Department of Health prioritises and schedule GCP inspections; the kinds of inspections they might conduct; the inspection process; and how they report and follow-up on inspection.
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Database of section 19A approvals to import and supply medicines to address medicine shortages
This database provides information on medicines not on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) that are approved for import and supply in Australia. The database holds information on approvals current on or after 21 February 2018. Contact the TGA's Medicines Shortages Section for information on approvals that expired or lapsed before 21 February 2018.
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Private hospital declaration - Notice of new or amended hospital declaration status and/or second-tier default benefit eligibility
Department of Health
The following facility has been declared a private hospital under Section 121-5 of the Private Health Insurance Act 2007: Ramsay Surgical Centre Coffs Harbour.
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COVID-19 vaccine weekly safety report
Department of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
Vaccination against COVID-19 is the most effective way to reduce deaths and severe illness from infection. The protective benefits of vaccination continue to far outweigh the potential risks. Like all medicines, COVID-19 vaccines may cause some side effects. The most frequently reported include injection-site reactions (such as a sore arm) and more general symptoms, like headache, muscle pain, fever and chills. This reflects what was seen in the clinical trials.
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Australian Public Assessment Report for Luspatercept
Department Of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
Reblozyl is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with transfusion-dependent anaemia (requiring 2 or more RBC units over 8 weeks) due to very low, low and intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndromes with ring sideroblasts (MDS-RS) Reblozyl is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with transfusion-dependent anaemia associated with beta thalassaemia.
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Provisional mortality statistics
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
All-cause mortality data in this report includes both doctor certified and coroner referred deaths. Cause-specific mortality includes only doctor certified deaths. In 2022, there were 15,805 deaths that occurred by 31 January and were registered by 31 March, 2,865 or 22.1% more than the historical average. After cancers, doctor-certified deaths due to COVID-19 were the second most common cause of death in January 2022.
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Use of Medicare chronic disease management items by patients with long-term health conditions
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)
This report uses findings from the Coordination of Health Care Study to describe the use of chronic disease management (CDM) items and Medicare-subsidised allied health services by people aged 45 and over who had at least one long-term health condition in 2016. This population was chosen for analysis as CDM items are made available to patients with chronic conditions. All data presented refer to people aged 45 and over who had at least one visit to a GP between November 2014 and November 2015.
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2022 - 23 budget analysis
Mental Health Australia
This Analysis is provided to Mental Health Australia members to assist in clarifying the meaning of mental health related investments made through the Australian Government's 2022-23 Budget. This is an election budget targeting immediate voter cost of living concerns at the expense of delivering on the major reforms, including those recommended by the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Mental Health, and the advice provided by the mental health sector on where investments are critically needed.
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Impact of climate change on mental health
Mental Health Australia (MHA)
More frequent and extreme weather events will lead to increases in the experience of psychological distress and mental illness, including: post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, complicated grief, survivor guilt, vicarious trauma, recovery fatigue, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation. The impact of climate change will hit vulnerable Australians harder, exacerbating pre-existing social and economic inequalities. People experiencing financial or social disadvantage are impacted by climate change first, worse, and longest because they have access to fewer resources to cope, adapt and recover.
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NT, Dept of Health: CHO directions - Public and Environmental Health Act 2011 - Section 52 - Determination of Exclusion Zones
The exclusion zones are depicted on the map available online entitled 'COVID_19 Exclusion Zones Declared by the NT CHO'. In the event of any inconsistency between the below text description and the areas mapped, the text description will prevail.
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Hansards
Australian Capital Territory
04 MAR 2022: ACT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Estimates - Inquiry into annual & financial reports 2020-2021 - Standing Committee on Health and Community Wellbeing - Minister for the Environment, Community Services Directorate, Director-General
FEB 21 2022: ACT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Estimates - Inquiry into annual & financial reports 2020 - Standing Committee on Health & Community Wellbeing - Assistant Minister for Seniors, Coordinator-General Mental Health, Chief Executive Officer
01 FEB 2022: ACT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Estimates - Inquiry into Public Health Amendment Bill 2021 (No 2) - Standing Committee on Health & Community Wellbeing - Chief Minister, Acting Head of Policy, Acting Executive Group Manager
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Court Cases
New South Wales
DTN v Commissioner of Police [2022] NSWCATAD 134
27 APR: NSW NCAT - Catchwords: Administrative review - Health Records Information Privacy Act
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EIG v North Sydney Council [2022] NSWCATAD 127
20 APR - Catchwords: Administrative law - Administrative review - Personal information - Health information - Disclosure of health information
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EON v Mid North Coast Local Health District [2022] NSWCATAD 113
06 APR - Catchwords: Administrative review - Health information - Review of conduct of agency - Health Privacy Principles - Disclosure- HPP 11 - Exceptions
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Victoria
Medical Board of Australia v Lodhi (Review and Regulation) [2022] VCAT 439
22 APR - Catchwords: Review and Regulation List - Health practitioner - Professional misconduct
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Queensland
Health Ombudsman v Andelkovic [2022] QCAT 096
10 MAR - Catchwords: Professions and trades - Health care professionals - Nurses - Disciplinary proceedings - Professional misconduct
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New Regulations
Federal
Therapeutic Goods (Serious Scarcity and Substitutable Medicine) (Abatacept) Amendment Instrument 2022
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00639
The Therapeutic Goods (Serious Scarcity and Substitutable Medicine) (Abatacept) Instrument 2022 ('the Principal Instrument') is a legislative instrument made under subsection 30EK(1) of the Act. It declares two medicines as scarce medicines, ORENCIA abatacept (rch) 125 mg single dose syringe subcutaneous injection ultrasafe passive needle guard and flange extender, and ORENCIA abatacept (rch) 125 mg single dose ClickJect prefilled autoinjector, and has the effect that each are specified as being substitutable for the other in the relevant permitted circumstances.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Paxlovid) Special Arrangement 2022
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00638
The National Health (Paxlovid) Special Arrangement 2022 (the instrument) made under s100(1) of the Act, specifies that the responsible person for Paxlovid® is the Commonwealth for the purposes of listing this drug on the PBS. The arrangement whereby the Commonwealth is the responsible person for Paxlovid® is intended to be a temporary measure to make this treatment for COVID-19 available on the PBS. The instrument also specifies the approved ex-manufacturer price (AEMP) for Paxlovid® as $1,000. A PBS listing for Paxlovid® means eligible patients can access this medicine from a community pharmacy on prescription from a doctor or nurse practitioner.
Explanatory Statement
Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment Rules (No. 5) 2022
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00635
The Amendment Rules make consequential amendments to the Benefit Requirements Rules and the Complying Product Rules to implement changes to the private health insurance clinical categorisation and procedure type classification of items of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) to reflect changes to MBS items that take effect from 1 July 2022.
Explanatory Statement
Health Insurance (Quality Assurance Activity - Australian and New Zealand Audit of Surgical Mortality) Declaration 2022
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00633
The purpose of the Declaration is to declare the Australian and New Zealand Audit of Surgical Mortality (ANZASM) to be a quality assurance activity (Activity) to which Part VC of the Act applies. The ANZASM provides a self-reporting and hospital or health-system based notification system for surgeons, anaesthetists and radiologists relating to patient mortality occurring in certain surgical contexts. Commonwealth Qualified Privilege is required for ANZASM as cases are assessed across state and territory borders, therefore it is necessary to protect this information as a national program.
Explanatory Statement
Defence Determination, Conditions of service (Operation COVID-19 ASSIST Allowance) Commencement Instrument 2022 (No. 1)
Legislative Instrument - F2022N00102
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Australian Capital Territory
Public Health (Mandatory Face Masks) Emergency Direction 2022 (No 3)
Notifiable Instrument NI2022-215
The purpose of this Direction is to require people to wear a face mask while in certain indoor spaces to limit community transmission of COVID-19 in the Australian Capital Territory. In making this Direction, The Chief Health Officer has had regard to relevant human rights and she is satisfied that the limitations imposed as a result of this Direction are both demonstrably justifiable in a free and democratic society and necessary to protect the ACT community from the serious public health risk posed by COVID-19.
Public Health (Diagnosed People and Household Contacts) Emergency Direction 2022 (No 6)
Notifiable Instrument NI2022-214
The purpose of this Direction is to require people who are diagnosed with COVID-19 through a COVID-19 test to self-isolate, and for a household contact of a diagnosed person to undergo quarantine in order to limit the spread of COVID-19. This Direction requires a person who returns a positive result from a rapid antigen test to complete an online form notifying the ACT Health Directorate of the positive result which allows the Directorate to provide appropriate advice to the individual on self-isolation requirements together with care, support and treatment options.
Western Australia
27 APR 2022: WA, DEPT OF HEALTH: Public Health Act 2016 - Sections 157(1)(e), 157(1)(k), 180 and 190(l)(p) - Leavers Event Area (Restrictions on Access) Directions (No 2) Revocation Directions
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Proclamations
None this edition.
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Gazette Notices
New South Wales
28 APR 2022: NSW GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. 188: Extraordinary Gazette - Public Health Act 2010 - Section 7 - Public Health (COVID-19 Air and Maritime Arrivals) Order (No 1) Amendment (No 2) Order 2022
Victoria
S 209: Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 - Section 22 - Public Health Emergency Order
G 17: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Order to Revoke a Prohibition Order - Health Complaints Act 2016 - Section 100
G 17: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Guidance for the Pandemic (Additional Industry Obligations) Order 2022 (No. 10) - Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Section 165AI
G 17: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Pandemic (Additional Industry Obligations) Order 2022 (No. 10) - Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Section 165AI
G 17: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Pandemic (Victorian Border Crossing) Order 2022 (No. 7) - Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Section 165AI
G 17: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Pandemic (Workplace) Order 2022 (No. 7) - Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Section 165AI
G 17: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Pandemic Covid-19 Mandatory Vaccination (Specified Facilities) Order 2022 (No. 7) - Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Section 165AI
G 17: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Guidance for the Pandemic (Quarantine, Isolation and Testing) Order 2022 (No. 7) - Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Section 165AI
G 17: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Guidance for the Pandemic (Victorian Border Crossing) Order 2022 (No. 7) - Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Section 165AI
G 17: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Guidance for the Pandemic Covid-19 Mandatory Vaccination (Specified Facilities) Order 2022 (No. 7) - Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Section 165AI
G 17: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Pandemic (Quarantine, Isolation and Testing) Order 2022 (No. 7) - Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Section 165AI
G 17: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Guidance for the Pandemic Covid-19 Mandatory Vaccination (Specified Workers) Order 2022 (No. 6) - Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Section 165AI
G 17: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Pandemic Covid-19 Mandatory Vaccination (Specified Workers) Order 2022 (No. 6) - Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Section 165AI
G 17: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Guidance for the Pandemic (Open Premises) Order 2022 (No. 6) - Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Section 165AI
G 17: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Pandemic (Open Premises) Order 2022 (No. 6) - Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Section 165AI
G 17: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Pandemic (Movement and Gathering) Order 2022 (No. 5) - Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Section 165AI
G 17: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Guidance for the Pandemic (Visitors to Hospitals and Care Facilities) Order 2022 (No. 5) - Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Section 165AI
G 17: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Guidance for the Pandemic (Detention) Order 2022 (No. 5) - Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Section 165AI
G 17: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Pandemic (Detention) Order 2022 (No. 5) - Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Section 165AI
G 17: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Pandemic (Visitors to Hospitals and Care Facilities) Order 2022 (No. 5) - Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Section 165AI
G 17: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Guidance for the Pandemic (Movement and Gathering) Order 2022 (No. 5) - Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Section 165AI
G 17: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Guidance for the Pandemic Covid-19 Mandatory Vaccination (General Workers) Order 2022 (No. 4) - Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Section 165AI
G 17: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Pandemic Covid-19 Mandatory Vaccination (General Workers) Order 2022 (No. 4) - Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Section 165AI
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Consolidated Legislation
National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013
Act Compilation - C2022C00157
Act No. 20 of 2013 as amended, taking into account amendments up to National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Participant Service Guarantee and Other Measures) Act 2022. An Act to establish the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and for related purposes.
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A New Tax System (Medicare Levy Surcharge-Fringe Benefits) Act 1999
Act Compilation - C2022C00155
Act No. 18 of 1999 as amended, taking into account amendments up to Treasury Laws Amendment (Cost of Living Support and Other Measures) Act 2022. An Act to implement A New Tax System by imposing Medicare levy surcharge on reportable fringe benefits totals of some employees without private hospital insurance.
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Health Insurance (General Medical Services Table) Regulations 2021
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2022C00489
Regulations as amended, taking into account amendments up to Health Insurance (General Medical Services Table) Amendment (Pain Management Services) Regulations 2022
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Health Insurance (Bonded Medical Program) Rule 2020
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2022C00488
Rules/Other as amended, taking into account amendments up to Health Insurance (Bonded Medical Program) Amendment Rule (No. 1) 2022
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National Health (Listed Drugs on F1 or F2) Determination 2021
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2022C00478
PB 33 of 2021 Determinations/Health as amended, taking into account amendments up to National Health (Listed Drugs on F1 or F2) Amendment Determination 2022 (No. 3)
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National Health (Commonwealth Price and Conditions for Commonwealth Payments for Supply of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Determination 2019
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2022C00472
PB 114 of 2019 Determinations/Health as amended, taking into account amendments up to National Health (Commonwealth Price and Conditions for Commonwealth Payments for Supply of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Amendment Determination 2022 (No. 1)
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National Health (Efficient Funding of Chemotherapy) Special Arrangement 2011
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2022C00471
PB 79 of 2011 Arrangements as amended, taking into account amendments up to National Health (Efficient Funding of Chemotherapy) Special Arrangement Amendment Instrument 2022 (No. 3)
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National Health (Originator Brand) Determination 2015
Legislative Instrument Compilation- F2022C00456
PB 100 of 2015 Determinations/Health as amended, taking into account amendments up to National Health (Originator Brand) Amendment Determination 2022 (No. 2)
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National Health (Pharmaceutical benefits-early supply) Instrument 2015
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2022C00454
PB 120 of 2015 Other as amended, taking into account amendments up to National Health (Pharmaceutical benefits - early supply) Amendment Instrument 2022 (No. 3)
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Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services - General Practice Attendance for Assessing Patient Suitability for a COVID-19 Vaccine) Determination 2021
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2022C00451
Determinations/Health as amended, taking into account amendments up to Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services - General Practice Attendance for Assessing Patient Suitability for a COVID-19 Vaccine) Amendment (Definition of Booster Dose) Determination 2022
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National Health (Highly Specialised Drugs Program) Special Arrangement 2021
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2022C00449
PB 27 of 2021 Arrangements as amended, taking into account amendments up to National Health (Highly Specialised Drugs Program) Special Arrangement Amendment (April Update) Instrument 2022
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